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Jim German emphasizes fiscal caution, transparency and neighborhood cohesion in Junction City commission bid
Summary
Jim German, a former city IT director who retired in 2024, said he is running for Junction City Commission to help avoid past underfunding, prioritize multi‑year infrastructure planning, improve city communications and encourage small‑business growth while preserving neighborhood character.
Jim German, a candidate for the Junction City Commission, said he decided to run after retiring in 2024 and because he wants to prevent the city from returning to the tight budgets and deferred maintenance he observed while working for the city.
"I was the IT director for the city for 22 years," German said, noting city policy previously prevented employees from running for the commission while employed and that he put his resume in for consideration when Mayor Underhill resigned.
German said the central aim of his campaign is fiscal prudence and long-term planning. He urged the commission and staff to develop 5-, 10- and 20-year plans to repair streets and other infrastructure so Junction City does not revert to a period when "we didn't have any money to do what we needed to do." He called rising taxes and debt "one of our biggest problems" and said he wants to find ways to make living in Junction City less expensive.
The candidate also prioritized clearer, centralized communication from city staff to reduce rumors and improve transparency. "It's incumbent on the city to be able to focus that information and get it out there so that it's one source of a good defined plan for communicating with the public," German said.
German described a vision for strengthening neighborhood cohesion and civic participation: "I would like to see that the community come together more," he said, adding that he would encourage underrepresented residents to voice opinions to city leaders.
On economic development, German recommended recruiting smaller employers that add 25–50 jobs each rather than pursuing single "home run" employers, arguing that steady incremental growth would preserve the city's "hometown feeling." He also urged moving ideas—such as a park on the West Side of 77—from discussion into action.
German framed his two decades of city employment as relevant experience: "I've worked with every department and I know how the budgeting process works," he said, arguing that institutional knowledge would help the commission manage city services and finances.
Closing his remarks, German acknowledged some voters want radical change but asked residents to judge him on whether they believe he would "make good decisions and try to improve Junction City," adding, "I would appreciate your vote."
